Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.
The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever. Martin Luther

Thursday, September 04, 2008

"That's interesting"

I am guilty of throwing around these two words all the time. Becuase I try to avoid conflict and disagreement, I often cover up my disagreement by saying "that's interesting." Although, I also say it when I think something is actually interesting. I need to get better at all this.

Anyway, I read the following at this site and thought it was pretty funny. It describes me (and you?) very well.

"If you've ever worked in a corporation, you've heard this phrase. This term is so large and undefined that when someone shows you an idea at work you can say "that's interesting" and it can mean everything from, "I like that idea, I think we should turn it into a project" to "that is the worst idea I have ever heard in my life." Try it today, you can use it in almost any situation. Someone spills a coke in your computer keyboard, "that's interesting, the vowels don't work anymore." Someone offers to give you a raise and an office with a door, "that's interesting, I would like a promotion."

the problem is that on the flip side, when i have said, "wow, i disagree completely," people think i'm a jerk. i think body language/gesticulation explains it all; some people are just so hard to read.

ethanyes, i do recall you saying that a lot and seeing the looks on people's faces. however I believe that's an okay response. it's just that we've become extremely defensive in conversation and so used to flattery.

When I pair the word "interesting" with a "that's", a "very", or a "how", this usually means that I am not interested in the slightest. It can also mean that I am interested in how something could be so completely uninteresting. Now when I say "interesting" with the inflection on the "in", this means I am either enamored or my curiosity has been sparked. Hmmm... I need to work on this! I do not want to throw out dishonest "interestings".I don't think that Eeyore was being very honest when he said this... "Eeyore," said Owl, "Christopher Robin is giving a party." "Very interesting," said Eeyore. "I suppose they will be sending me down the odd bits which got trodden on."p.s. I'm glad you liked the post on Christian art. I have been thinking about that all week. Thank you Clive for being so insighful. If only I could write like that.

my personal favorite is: that's funny. when the thing said to me is so NOT funny that i can't even fake a laugh and instead offer a totally empty and patronizing comment...that's funny. um, actually, nope! not at all.

David, it's a deal. Accountability, that's what we need. I even took it to the 'ole blog.Do you see what my roomy has just said? I am now disturbed at how many times she uses the phrase "that's funny" in response to something I am rambling on about! Haha :)

Whitney and KatieWow, this is almost endless. It's amazing how many ways we can do this. My personal favorite after thinking through all this is when I say "Hmmm". It works after just about any statement.